Lockdown is forcing universities and their faculties to reinvent themselves. Courses are now being delivered online, and exams will soon follow suit. While we are currently conducting several load tests to ensure that all our students have optimal conditions for taking their exams, below you will find some tips on how to improve your connection quality, as well as a reminder of the procedure to follow for your future online exams.

Test your speed and interpret the results

In order to enable students to take their exams online and staff to work in the best possible conditions, the DSIN provides a tool that allows you to measure the quality of the connection between your home and the university: https://testdebit.umontpellier.fr/

Data reception (download)

Following this test, results will appear, which you can interpret using this short guide:

• A speed between D and F is considered slow (low throughput);
• A speed classified as C between 3 and 7 Mbps is considered "medium speed," and it is at these speeds that remote working can begin to take place under good conditions.
• A speed of 8 Mb/s corresponds to the threshold for a "high-speed" connection.
• Above 30 Mbps, the connection is classified as "very high speed."

Sending data (Upload)

This value represents the speed at which data is transmitted from your computer to the Internet; it is often referred to as "upload speed" or "Upload."

An average speed of 1.2 Mb/s is sufficient to transmit data from your workstation.

Response time (ping) 

This value represents the time taken for a round trip between your computer and the computer hosting the files used to measure the data reception speed; it is often referred to as "latency."

A value in the green zone is required to conduct high-quality video conferences (without interruptions).

Improve your Wi-Fi network connection

If the connection is not optimal (between D and F), you must:

• If possible, prioritize wired connections : The connection will be more stable and Wi-Fi-connected devices will have better throughput.
• Position your box correctly : Avoid placing it under the TV or in a closed cabinet. It is best to install it approximately 1.50 m above the floor in an open area. Never place anything on top of it and plug it in directly (do not use a telephone extension cord or power strip).
• Stop running programs: To get the most out of your bandwidth, remember to turn off Wi-Fi on devices you are not using (phones, connected devices).
• Disable automatic Wi-Fi search : By default, Windows constantly searches for nearby wireless networks. This feature, which is unnecessary if you always connect to your own network, consumes bandwidth.
• Check that you don't have a virus: Whether by displaying ads or discreetly using the computer's capabilities, some malware unnecessarily uses bandwidth.

 

If, after checking all these steps, the connection is still weak, contact your academic department so that they can help you access the exams in the best possible conditions. Please also feel free to report any problems you encounter during the tests.

Take one's exams

With an optimal connection, students can take their exams.

To do this, students must log in in the same way as for exams on tablets in lecture halls: log in from your computer on SIDES + ENT identification + enter an exam code.

The codes for the boxes will be sent by email before the test.

On the day of the test, we invite students to position themselves, if possible, as they would be during an exam:

• Start the connection at least 15 minutes before the times mentioned (to allow for any unforeseen circumstances).
• Staying alone in a room
• Keep only exam materials (pen, blank scratch paper, etc.)
• Do not attempt to connect to any applications other than those required for the exam. Doing so may disrupt the connection and distort your ability to compose.

Once the challenge has begun, it's up to you! 

We wish you the best of luck with your exams!

Bonus

Also discover in this article our tips for remote revision!